BREAST-FEEDING AND ANOVULATORY CYCLE IN SOME RURAL COMMUNITIES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A randomised prospective study of 150 breast-feeding and 100 non- breast-feeding postpartum women was conducted in some rural communities in Nigeria, to determine the relationship between breast-feeding and anovulation. Non-breast-feeding postpartum controls experienced early return of menses, ovulation and ultimate pregnancy whereas in the breastfeeding mothers, these parameters were delayed much longer (menses, ovulation and pregnancy more than 12 months). Breast-feeding is shown to be a method of family planning and child spacing among the ruralities covered in the study. In the rural areas of developing countries, where contraceptive use is either low or non-existent, active promotion of breast-feeding is needed to reinforce the traditional method of breast-feeding so as to retain its child spacing as well as maternal and child health benefits. [Ethiop. i. Health Dev. 1993;7(2):93-00]